Bela, My Sweet Bratinela

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

I can’t believe that July is almost over and before I know it, we are already in the “BER” months which in the Philippines, signals the start of the Christmas season, which only means that 2014 is again almost over.

Last Christmas, I was pregnant with our 3rd child and so I was a bit lazy to move around and do some Christmas decorating. But this Christmas is extra special with a new addition to our family so we are all excited to decorate the house so we can really feel the Christmas spirit. That is why as early as now, we are already checking at christmasplace.com for department 56 as we wanted to buy Christmas village as a new decoration for Christmas in our living room.

But I am sure with or without these Christmas decors, we can definitely feel the Christmas spirit because of the love and joy that is overflowing in our home.

This picture was taken when we went to Tagaytay 2 weeks ago. We went to Residence Inn so the kids can go horseback riding. And when Bela saw the zip line, she did not think twice and she tried it.

It is actually just a zip line for kids but Bela has tried the longer and higher zip line in Picnic Grove. I am glad that he is as adventurous as his dad and she is not like me who is scared of almost anything. LOL.

Monday, March 03, 2014

Bela has a new teacher in Drum Class. He is the former drummer of Sponge Cola. Bela loves his former teacher, teacher Elmer, and she is already comfortable with him. But Academy of Rock has opened up their new branch in Megamall and Teacher Elmer has to take the weekend class for drums there. I asked Bela if she wants to follow Teacher Elmer in Megamall, but if I were to choose, I prefer Rockwell than Megamall as I find that mall too crowded.

Bela agreed to try Teacher Chris. During her first two sessions with Teacher Chris, she was just quiet and would even go out of the room or would request that we be with her inside the room during class. As per AOR’s manager, Teacher Chris has a different teaching style as he is stricter than the laid back style of Teacher Elmer, so maybe that's why Bela is having a hard time adjusting.

Bela completed one month session with Teacher Chris and Teacher Chris said that he noticed a big improvement with Bela. Bela is also comfortable now with Teacher Chris and Teacher Chris is even teaching her advance drum skills so Howell and I are really excited and happy with this big improvement.

And since we can really see that Bela is really serious with her drum lessons, Howell is thinking to really convert one of our spare rooms into a band studio complete with all the equipment like speakers and the like.

I am sure Bela would love this idea as she always enjoys spending time in her room, playing with her drums.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

My Bela is already 8 years old but she is still into toys. Her current addiction: Skylanders.

Every time she gets a good grade from school, or last Christmas or her last birthday, she requested that we give her any of her favorite Skylanders characters. This toy is actually played with an Xbox or PSP as it interacts with the game but Bela is just interested to play with it as an action figure. LOL.

I was checking her stack of Skylanders last week and I was surprised because she has a lot already. This makes me think that we should get a durable trunk like those Military Footlocker to keep her collections.

Last Saturday was Bela’s Family Day activity in school. I was part of the committee who organized the event and one of the activities that we included was a presentation per class. And for St. Walburga, Bela’s class, I asked teacher if she can help the kids practice the song Roar while Bela plays the drums.

I was actually hesitant at first because the logistics will be complicated as I either have to bring the drum set of Bela in school or I would have to rent. I asked Bela and she is really eager to perform so who am I to say No to that kind of request of my daughter.

And I am glad we pushed through with it because I can see the joy in Bela’s face as she performs. She played the song Roar while her classmates sing and dance to the tune. Here is a full video of the presentation:

And it gave me and hubby so much joy and pride that we were both teary eyed as we watch our princess rocks.